A Bunny Breakthrough!

 

January 8, 2011

It's been over 2 months since we adopted Rosalie. We've been really careful to research ways to help her overcome her anxiety, and it has been a series of progression and regressions. Lately, it has been more progression:-)

She has a problem with cage aggression and will not allow anyone to pick her up without thrashing around and leaving the person with blood on their arm and hands. I'm worried about this because it will be time for her pedicure soon. She reacts to noise a lot. If she hears something she doesn't like, she stamps her feet repeatedly. She has particular antipathy toward rap music. I think the beat and bass combination frighten her. They feel vibrations.

Lately she has been comfortable enough to sleep at my feet while I work on the computer, and she responds to my voice. She even seems happy to see me in the morning and paces excitedly waiting for her daily treat. I give Comet a Mr. Barkey vegan dog treat, and Rosalie gets offended if she doesn't also get to partake. She has even nudged Comet's nose away from the treat and stolen his! She gets her very own now, and when she is finished she will go to Comet and see if he has any leftovers (he never does).

A few minutes ago while I was buried in my laptop and sitting on the sofa, she jumped up and cautiously climbed next to me. She climbed on my arm for some affection and I talked to her softly. I didn't want to chase her away with a petting, so I just talked to her and looked into her soulful purple eyes and told her what a brave bunny she is. Little victories are sweet.

Bunny Bulletin

March 11, 2011

  

Humphrey enjoying the Crinkle Chute cat toy.

It’s a great joy caring for my bunnies Rosalie and Humphrey. Rabbits are such dynamic and smart creatures. I was hoping they would bond and be able to live in harmony together, but that isn’t looking promising. I had hoped they would be able to have their own room together when we move to the new house because I really don’t like the limitation of a cage. They get free run of the house several times each day, but I would still like them to have their own large space.

We’ve been proceeding slowly, but Rosalie being the bossy bunny that she is, has to be the boss and Humphrey is submissive. There have been times that Rosalie seems to want to be friends, but always reverts to aggression. Every room in the house has to be hers. Humphrey really wants a friend, and I feel bad that she’s dismissing him and bullying him. She scratched him on the eyelid last week and that scared us from continuing bonding since we didn’t want to put Humphrey through any more scary situations.

Some positive things are happening too. Rosalie has really warmed up to me in the last month. She eats food from my hand and begs for particular favorites (she knows how to manipulate her way, and she’s taught Humphrey the same). It’s taken over four months of patience and learning about who she is for her to allow me to pet her, and for her to enjoy it. She doesn’t attack my arm when I add food or hay to her cage. She actually seeks out my affection now and follows me around the house. If I ignore her she lets me know with a firm nudge. I also received this week the highest compliment from the bunny world—she groomed me. A few timesJ That’s amazing progress for her. She also allowed me to give her a pedicure. I was so worried about that. She wouldn’t allow me to handle her at all in the beginning, and I was ok with that. I just know there will be times that she needs to be held for examinations, regular grooming. It’s going to take more time for Humphrey. He is still trying to figure out his place here and get used to living with us. He’s quite timid, but he’s starting to allow us to pet him. He bites though.

Bunnies never cease to make me laugh. Rosalie prides herself on her intelligence and uncanny ability to break through any barrier we set up, disregard any rule we have, and generally prove her mental superiority. One day I couldn’t find her. I looked all around the house (she’s usually where she’s not supposed to be). When I finally found her she was laying inside my amethyst geode looking mighty proud of herself. She looked at me with as smirky of a smile as a bunny can muster as if to say “I’m in your geode! I’m not supposed to be here. But I am.” I wish I had been able to snap a picture because she looked so funny in there.



Comet romping around in his favorite weather--snow!

 Both bunnies have an affinity for Mr. Barkey’s vegan dog biscuits. When I give one to Comet--they know. They start pacing and standing on their hind legs to beg. If they are running about they will run up to me and try to climb my leg to get my attention. If I’m not quick enough they will steal it from Comet. He just lets them. Good thing he’s so patient and gentle and willing to share.



Rosalie on the arm of her favorite chair

Humphrey has a nickname of “Thumphrey.” He likes to stomp his feet when he isn’t pleased about something; usually it’s Jeff doing something around his cage. Rosalie stomps too. Apparently she has a huge dislike of rap music and anything new that comes into the house. We bought a new chair, and when she discovered it, she looked at us intently and stomped her feet as if to say “Look at this! This didn’t used to be here! I don’t like it!” She’s like her mama and doesn’t like change.

My Critters:-)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The weather is gorgeous! I wish it could be like this every day. I am enjoying the day with my critters and thought I would share some photos.

Comet enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather & Buttercups



My two favorite guys.



Humphrey in his favorite spot--the critter cuddly cup.



All 3 buns getting along wonderfully. I love Humphrey's feet in this photo. Kayla is the stuffed security bunny on the left. Rosalie on the right.



My Rosie girl. Don't tell Jeff she jumped on his laptop!

Bunny Bonding

March 19, 2011

Well bonding hasn't gone well at home, and due to my inexperience I decided it was best to take The House Rabbit Society's kind offer to help. Today we took Rosalie and Humphrey to Laurie's home for bonding. A neutral environment with someone with lots of experience is just what they need. At least we will know for sure if they can ever be best buddies after this.

I have to say that I miss them terribly already. Even Comet was looking for them when we came home without them. I'm such a sap--I had a lump in my throat when I was saying goodbye, and I was pretty good at fighting the tears until I got into the car. I wish I wasn't so sensitive. If this has a good outcome in the next two weeks it will all be worth it. I want my bunnies to be happy together. I'm hoping Rosalie learns her manners. I wish I had been able to do this myself. I feel sad that I wasn't capable. I feel like I let them down. I hated to uproot them, but I am trying to stay positive. I know they are in good hands, so I am looking forward to bringing them home again.

Another Bunny Blog

Friday, November 12, 2010
Rosalie has been with us for a week now. She's one smart bunny! She has figured out how to open her cage if it is not latched properly, and she loves running laps around the sofa--she makes it around in 2 seconds. She still will not allow me to pick her up and seems quite scared when I try, but she doesn't seem to mind me petting her when she is out of the cage. Today she even slept comfortably at my feet while I worked on the computer. I think she is starting to get comfortable with our routines now and she doesn't seem terrified of us anymore. She desperately wants to be friends with Comet, but he would rather just sleep.

She figured out that underneath of the sofa is a fun place for her, but since it isn't a safe place for a bunny I packed it with boxes. She got so mad when she saw what I had done! She actually started trying to dig them out. I have figured out that if I whistle when she's doing something wrong she will stop.

She doesn't like green peppers, but she loves all different types of greens and an occassional carrot or pear slice. She still fights sleep. She gets pretty tired running around the house (which has been bunny-proofed). When she gets sleepy she rolls suddenly on her back and cuddles up with her stuffed Kayla. That is precious! Another thing I think is so cute about her is this little pointed tuft of hair in the center of her forhead that sticks up like a little horn. Sometimes it is there and other times it isn't, but she reminds me of a little white unicorn. She's really been a joy. I want to hold her so bad, but it will have to be in her time.

Meet Rosalie

From 11/9/10

 

This is Rosalie. Jeff & I adopted her last Thursday from Luna's House. After losing our beloved Piggy (guinea pig) the house felt very lonely so we opened our hearts to this gorgeous purple-eyed gal. Since we are planning to rescue a lot of animals we want to specialize in animals with special needs and Rosalie has a lot of anxiety and needs to be socialized. I've worked with abused bunnies before, so I hope that she will learn that we love her and won't hurt her the way someone in her past did.

She was found as a stray and spent a long time at the humane society. I guess when her time was up there Luna's House rescued her and she stayed with a foster family for five months after that. They told me that she used to cry when people reached into her cage. That just breaks my heart:-( She's been spayed (all people should spay and neuter their pets!). I heard that she had a little lipo done with the spay as she used to be overweight.

She was adopted with Kayla her stuffed "security" bunny that she snuggles with and grooms all day. I think I got too close to Kayla when tidying the litter pan and Rosalie attacked my arm. She drew blood, but it surprised me more than anything. I only clean her cage when she is having her hop time around the house. She's perfectly litter trained:-) I'm going to work with her and help her to trust us. We love her already. It's going to take a lot of time and patience, but she's worth it. If she never comes around we will just accept and love her for who she is.

We've enjoyed her already and have learned that she loves to tear apart willow balls, toss toys around, and run laps around the couch while leaping and twisting. She really wants to be friends with Comet. He's so sweet with her and steps gently when she's around. He doesn't always want her to be hopping around him so he gently climbs onto the couch where she can't get to him. It's cute how careful of her he is. He was the same way with Piggy. He's such a sensitive dog. The first night Rosalie was with us he wouldn't come to bed with Jeff & I the way he usually does. He saw us to bed and then went back to the living room to sleep next to her cage. I think he could sense how anxious she was and wanted to comfort her. She seems to like him more than she likes us right now.

She's fearful of us. She tenses up when we pet her, but not as much when she's out of the cage. I haven't been able to pick her up yet. It upsets her and I don't want to stress her out with too much too soon. I have to work slowly on that. She fights sleep. I think she may be too scared to sleep. I hope that our love and care will bring her around so she will be happy with us.

In the meantime I will allow her to slowly get comfortable being around us and getting used to the new sounds and routines we have.